The fourth match of the inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup will be played between Sri Lanka and the USA on January 14 at Willowmoore Park B Field in Benoni, South Africa. The game will begin at 5.15 PM IST (1.45 PM LOCAL).
Both teams have played a couple of warm-up fixtures ahead of the World Cup. While Sri Lanka have won both their games, beating Scotland and UAE, the USA lost their two warm-up clashes as they went down to UAE and Scotland.
Squads
Sri Lanka: Vishmi Gunarathne (c), Dahami Sanethma, Umaya Rathnayake, Rashmi Nethranjali, Rashmika Sewwandi, Dewmi Vihanga Wijerathne, Manudi Nanayakkara, Sumudu Nisansala, Pamoda Shaini, Vidushika Perera, Dulanga Dissanayake, Rismi Sanjana, Nethmi Senarathna, Harini Perera, Vihara Sewwandi
USA: Geetika Kodali (c), Anika Kolan, Aditi Chudasama, Bhumika Bhadriraju, Disha Dhingra, Isani Vaghela, Jivana Aras, Laasya Mullapudi, Pooja Ganesh, Pooja Shah, Ritu Singh, Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni, Snigdha Paul, Suhani Thadani, Taranum Chopra
Players to Watch
Nethmi Senarathna:
The right-handed opening batter of Sri Lanka Women’s U19 struck a stellar half-century in the first warm-up match against the UAE Women’s U19. She mustered 53 off 55, including five boundaries and two sixes. She will be expected to give a good start to her team with the bat.
Dewmi Vihanga Wijerathne:
The wily right-arm off-spinner of Sri Lanka Women’s U19 scalped seven wickets in the two warm-up games. She bowled in the right areas and exhibited good control over her spin. She is an attacking bowler and a genuine wicket-taker. Besides her bowling, she is a handy middle-order batter.
Disha Dhingra:
She is a right-handed opening batter of the USA Women’s U19 who has already played eight T20Is since her international debut last year. She is a technically sound batter and will be required to take the onus of her team’s batting. She can also roll her arm over to bowl right-arm medium-pace.
Isani Vaghela:
The dashing all-rounder of the USA Women’s U19 is a right-handed middle-order batter and a right-arm medium-pace bowler. In the first warm-up game against Scotland Women’s U19, she scored 40 off 42 and claimed 20/2 in three overs. Her all-round contributions will be crucial to her team’s success.
Pitch
It will be the second game of the tournament here, with the first one being played early in the day. Expect a relatively new surface that could yield a good amount of runs. Warm conditions could make batting easy. Bowlers, however, will have to make the most of the new ball.
Weather
The weather is expected to be very warm with plenty of sunshine. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 31 degrees Celsius. There will be a zero percent cloud cover and a one percent chance of rain. The wind will blow from the northeast.
Fantasy Playing XI
Anika Kolan, Sumudu Nisansala, Disha Dhingra, Manudi Nanayakkara, Vishmi Gunarathne, Isani Vaghela, Dewmi Vihanga, Ritu Singh, Bhumika Bhadriraju, Geetika Kodali, Vidushika Perera
Match details
Date: January 14, 2023
Time: 5.15 PM IST (1.45 PM LOCAL)
Venue: Willowmoore Park B Field, Benoni, South Africa
Live streaming: Fan Code (in India)
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I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.